Presidential polls : Bonds placed for Ariyanethiran as Tamils field common candidate

by admin
Aug 12, 2024

Cash deposits have been placed for a total of 24 candidates to contest the 2024 Presidential Elections in Sri Lanka. This also includes a bond for former Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) parliamentarian Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanethiran who is to be a common candidate for the Eelam Tamils.

According to the Election Commission, bonds had been placed on behalf of 24 Presidential candidates to-date. Among the candidates nominated for the Presidential Election, 11 are from registered political parties and 12 are names nominated by the public and one is from a separate party. The Presidential polls are scheduled for September 21, while Nominations will be accepted till August 15.

The Election Commission reports a total of 17,140,354 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the 2024 Presidential Elections. Ariyanethiran has been endorsed by a group of Tamil political parties as a fitting common candidate who would voice the Tamil aspiration on a common platform. Although Sri Lanka's constitution does not permit a Tamil to become the country's President, Tamils in the North-East hope that this would be an indication as well as a representation of the Tamil aspiration. 

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This demonstration, which culminated in a rally and speeches in Punchbowl, highlighted the plight of refugees denied permanent visas for over 12 years. Speakers at the event shed light on the profound impact of the current system, including barriers to higher education, employment, and access to essential services.

The protest has now entered its 100th day, with Tamil asylum seekers and their supporters continuing their relentless demand for permanent protection. For 38 days, they camped outside Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke’s office in Sydney, calling on the government to end the visa limbo that has left many without basic rights and stability. Tamil asylum seekers have been in Australia for over a decade, living on short-term visas that must be renewed regularly. Without permanent residency, they are excluded from Medicare—Australia’s universal health insurance scheme—and are denied the right to work, study, travel, or access essential services. Many are also required to report to visa offices weekly.

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Amaran - Problematic propaganda

amaran

The genre of war epic makes its grand re-entry to Tamil cinema with director Rajkumar Periasamy’s sophomore feature film, ‘Amaran.’ As is often the case with this genre, one cannot help but feel the events of the ‘true story’ onscreen have been heavily modified for easy consumption.

 

 

 

The patriotic military films of Tamil cinema had taken a back seat for a while. The subject matter is now seldom a prominent theme of a film, instead lurking in the shadows peeking through such as via the heroes in the works of Nelson Dilipkumar. The genre of war epic makes its grand re-entry to Tamil cinema with director Rajkumar Periasamy’s sophomore feature film, ‘Amaran.’ As is often the case with this genre, one cannot help but feel the events of the ‘true story’ onscreen have been heavily modified for easy consumption.

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Krishna's rating: 2.5 stars

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Official trailer for film below.

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